The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-09-29
NCOLD SIIUlsIN


Facilities and Needs. fE-.
TO the Editor Of he Inttili1sneer. 49, u,
slR-In this mornings issue you ceiti.
ciso, in a courteous, amicable manner,
this gcnsralizing remark in my last letter
to ths"Age Of s!eel:" Wheeling nesds'r
creased facilities for transporting the man.
utactured products Of her factories and
mills to the consuming centera of the
West and South" The wxi.er, I am sure,
differs with mo only as to exigent modes
and methods; We both have tho came
purpose at heart-to promote tho progress
Of our city. ,asSg. al
1t may be true that Just as mntterD are
now conditioned thers may be no urgent
need for increased facilities, that those We
now have may be ample to transport the
products OF our industrial establishme nta
to tho markets Of the West aud South !;
but for the past month there has been a
regular, and to many OF our business men
an irritating blockade OF freight on all the
roads entering the city from the East and
West. Goods which are usually but from
two to six days ..'in transitu' are now
blocked out, lying on soma switch or side
track for weeka. What causss this
| Trade Is not particle more active than
1t should DO at th;s season. Does it not
rather indicate that our city Is assuming
q moro becoming spirit Of commercial &C.
tivity and enterpr:1e than she haa been
wont to manifest during the past two
years, and would not the addition OF a rail-
road or two asaist in the generous promo
ton Of this newly awakened spirit OF pro.
gfeas also better our chances by
attracting attention to our great natural
auvantagesr And has not thia indolent
satisfaction with the existing develop.
ment Of the city's facilities restrained her
progress, restricted a regular increase In
the diversity Of her producte! ss:
Progress is never lethargic but always
active and alert. Under the modern dis.
penBation of commercial life, that city
which hiss the greatest command OF the
means OF rapid and economical transporta.
ton OF commodities OF the products Of ito
industrial activity from itself to other
commercial centers, is likely to have q
decided advantage in the race for emf.
nence-the contention for the acquisition
otindependence and wealth, in the struggle
for upremscy-Wheeling Is now striving
for equality only. She must gain that be.
fore she enters the liats for distinction
and supremacy. She enjoys at present
the benefits OF two gwitches-one from
Benwood and one from Steubenville, the
Junction. She is also way station on
the O., w. & P. railrosd. Her best prom.
ise is held out by the Ohio River road,
The Achilles heel" Of Wheeling, il I
may so express 1t, is her ultra conssrva.
tism. When the animating wand Of pro.
gress spread over this section, after the
war, 1t seems from some cause, to have
either missed Wheeling or touched her
too lightly her Vulnerable point is her
lack of persistent enterprise. l am not in
favor. OF saddling oppressive debts upon
the city, but do desire to see her mani.
fest some faint evidences Of tho spirit
Of modern progressive spirit which built
Chicago and is now building Pittsburgh.
Beyond doubt, despite all caviling, If
Wheeling assists in providing the neces-
ssty inlet, railroads will come to her and
compete for her favors in the way Of
traffic. am not among those either who
believe in the infallibility, the efficacy or
wholesome, honest working Of the Inter
State bill as it ia now enacted, interpreted
and administered. 7:.5ili s.5
As to.the railroad bridge, there certainly
Is the sentiment prevailing, that it should
be built. How is not now for me to dis
euss; committees have been appointed for
that purpose. did throw ont some sug-
gestions, but they were intended to help
set the ball in motion. do not desire to
father or cousin any wild schemes, or
help rush the city in debt. She has some
stocks, however, which 1t might be
sagacious to sell-such as her stock In
the Pittsburgh, Wheeling & Kentucky
railroad. q Coin suosr.
Wheeling, September eth, 1887. "